Globe Expands Customer-First Innovations, Delivering Seamless Everyday Experiences

Globe unveiled a new suite of customer-first innovations at The Blueprint by Globe, reinforcing its “Built Around You” commitment. The showcase highlighted how Globe continues to simplify access, remove friction, and transform daily routines into intuitive, empowering experiences.

The event introduced reimagined touchpoints across onboarding, SIM care, digital shopping, and customer support, underscoring how Globe is adapting to the evolving needs of Filipinos.

GlobeOne: A Faster, Smarter Digital Companion

At the heart of Globe’s digital ecosystem, the GlobeOne app continues to evolve to give customers a seamless and more inclusive experience. Its latest update, shaped by feedback from users, brings greater speed, simplicity, and accessibility.

Connecting is now quicker with a more streamlined onboarding, while a refreshed catalog offers a cleaner, more intuitive way to browse, compare, and purchase promos. The app also runs faster and smoothly, even on entry-level devices, and now comes with a smaller file size, making GlobeOne accessible to even more Filipinos. These improvements address everyday frustrations while boosting inclusivity.

Guest Mode: Access Globe Without Logging In

Globe also introduced Guest Mode, a new feature that allows anyone, even non-Globe users, to explore essential services without creating an account. Through this seamless experience, users can register SIMs, buy load, subscribe to promos, and even purchase an eSIM without stepping into a store.

Guest Mode lowers barriers to entry by giving people a convenient way to try Globe services firsthand. Designed especially to encourage digital-first adoption among Prepaid and TM customers, this provides a welcoming pathway into Globe’s growing digital ecosystem.

SIM Care Reinvented: Replace, Upgrade, and Switch In-App

Globe has redefined SIM services by bringing them directly into GlobeOne, eliminating queues, paperwork, and delays. Customers can now replace a damaged SIM with delivery, flexible payment options, and instant activation. They can also upgrade to 5G anytime with secure validation and delivery tracking, or switch to an eSIM instantly for a more eco-friendly option. With just a few taps, Globe customers gain greater control and convenience over their connectivity.

Beyond Connectivity: Everyday Empowerment

Globe is also expanding the GlobeOne app features to be more purpose-driven. GoGive is GlobeOne’s newest feature that allows customers to support causes that they care about by simply using their mobile data.

Inclusive Innovation, Built Around You

At its core, The Blueprint reflects Globe’s commitment to inclusive innovation, ensuring progress benefits all Filipinos.

“Every solution is designed with the customer in mind. We’re not building features for the sake of it, we’re removing friction from the everyday,” said Coco Domingo, Globe VP of Product Experience.

Because staying connected is not just about convenience, it’s about resilience, inclusion, and empowerment. With Globe, every tap brings Filipinos closer to the digital life they aspire to.

For more information about Globe, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.

What Is an MSCI ESG Rating and Why Security Bank’s ‘A’ Matters

ESG ratings have become a key benchmark for investors, regulators, and customers to evaluate how well companies manage long-term environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks. Among these standards, the MSCI ESG Rating is one of the most widely recognized globally—used by asset managers and analysts to assess companies’ resilience to issues like climate change, labor practices, and corporate ethics.

What is an MSCI ESG rating?

MSCI ESG Ratings aim to measure a company's resilience to long-term ESG risks. Companies are scored on a scale ranging from AAA (leader) to CCC (laggard), relative to industry peers. Ratings are based on a company’s exposure to ESG risks and its ability to manage those risks effectively. MSCI assesses multiple factors, including:

• Environmental: Exposure to carbon-intensive sectors, environmental policies, and resource efficiency.

• Social: Labor practices, customer protection, product safety, and community impact

• Governance: Board independence, shareholder rights, and transparency in management practices

A higher rating signals to investors that the company is well-positioned to manage ESG challenges and seize opportunities in a changing business environment.

Why Security Bank’s ‘A’ rating stands out

Recently, MSCI upgraded Security Bank (PSE:SECB) to an ‘A’ rating, making it the only Philippine bank to hold this score today. This positions the Bank on par with leading banks in the Asia-Pacific region for ESG risk management.

MSCI cited the following as key drivers of the upgrade:

• Enhanced corporate governance: Stronger Board oversight, improved transparency, and better executive accountability practices

• Leadership in consumer protection: Top-tier performance in complaint resolution and customer data protection

• Robust cybersecurity measures: Strong controls around encryption, access management, and information security standards

• Refined ESG risk oversight in lending: Updated sustainability framework to moderate exposure to environmentally intensive sectors

“Being the only Philippine bank with an MSCI ESG ‘A’ rating is a clear signal that our governance, risk management, and sustainability practices are helping us realize our vision to be the best-in-class in sustainable banking,” said Sanjiv Vohra, President and CEO of Security Bank. “An MSCI ‘A’ rating is not just a badge—it’s a sign that we are managing ESG risks as effectively as the best in our industry.

Why it matters for customers and investors

For customers, an MSCI ‘A’ rating means the Bank is building systems and safeguards that protect their interests and the environment over the long term. For investors, it signals resilience and strategic foresight in navigating regulatory, environmental, and societal shifts.

The MSCI upgrade is one of several advancements in the Bank’s sustainability agenda this year. In May, the Bank became the first Philippine bank to join the Alliance for Green Commercial Banks, a global initiative spearheaded by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority to accelerate sustainable banking practices.

Additionally, the Bank partnered with IFC to expand its green financing portfolio and strengthen its institutional sustainability framework—enabling greater support for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate-resilient projects.

These developments, combined with the MSCI ESG ‘A’ rating, reinforce Security Bank’s position as a forward-looking organization committed to building a sustainable and inclusive economy.

The Pod Network Launches Audio Anthology Series ‘Stories @ the Pod’ With ‘Trese’ Writer Budjette Tan

Manila, Philippines — The Pod Network, the country’s leading podcast network, announces the launch of Stories @ The Pod, an audio anthology series that transforms Filipino literary works into immersive, cinematic podcast experiences.

Co-produced by award-winning audio production company Hit Productions, the limited series is designed to showcase contemporary Philippine literature through audio listening.

"I'm excited that Hit Productions’ collaboration with our partners at The Pod Network and author Budjette Tan has made it possible for his stories to reach new and wider audiences,” Hit Productions CEO Vic Icasas said.

The first season kicks off with four tales from ‘Kwentoys,’ the upcoming book by Budjette Tan, the writer behind the Netflix animated series Trese. Kwentoys is a collection of short stories he wrote over a span of 20 years, blending folklore, memory, and the magic of everyday Filipino life, and features illustrations by his brother Brandie Tan. The tales are eerie, nostalgic, and deeply personal, each with an interesting backstory from the author.

"These stories deserve to be heard—literally. They're not just retold; they’re reimagined,” shared Kwentoys creator Budjette Tan.

Episodes of Stories @ The Pod feature a fully-produced audio drama adaptation from Steve and Nyx of the Book of Bad Ideas podcast and a heartfelt conversation with Budjette with Earl of the Philippine Campfire Stories podcast, diving into the inspiration, culture, and emotion behind each tale.

With narratives about lost kids, ancient myths, and childhood memories, Stories @ The Pod is a new space for Filipino authors to share their work and a chance for listeners to connect with literature through an immersive soundscape.

"We at The Pod Network are thrilled to share this collaboration with such creative minds and talents in the literature, sound, and podcast spheres,” says Inna Salazar Acuña, Head of Content at The Pod Network.

Catch Stories @ The Pod on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. For more information about The Pod Network, you may visit www.thepodnetwork.com or their Facebook page.

From Classrooms to Communities: PLDT and Smart Renew 21-Year SWEEP Partnership With AdZU

Through their renewed partnership with Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU), PLDT and its wireless arm, Smart Communications, Inc., are empowering young Filipinos in Mindanao to turn education into real-world solutions, showing how technology and learning can directly uplift communities.

The partnership between PLDT, Smart, and AdZU under the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP), began in 2004 with the turnover of a Smart Wireless Laboratory equipped with technical tools to upgrade the university’s IT and engineering facilities.

PLDT and Smart Public Engagement First Vice President Roby Alampay said, “PLDT, Smart, and the larger MVP Group, truly believe that Ateneo plays an important part in the development, peace, and progress of this region. A laboratory like this may look small, but even a small token of our cooperation stands for something much bigger. We invested in SWEEP decades ago on the faith that people would be the product – and we have trained thousands of faculty and students, produced several startups, as well as a lot of other undocumented successes. Ipagpatuloy natin ito.”

A pioneering initiative of Smart, SWEEP is the country’s first and longest-running industry-academe linkage program that enhances technology education and helps produce industry-ready engineering and IT graduates. Since the partnership began, AdZU students have actively participated in SWEEP, gaining mentorship and hands-on experience to sharpen their skills and develop innovative solutions that address the needs of their communities.

AdZU President Fr. Guillrey Anthony Andal, SJ, emphasized the importance of SWEEP to Zamboanga City and its communities. “SWEEP has consistently asked, "What do students need now to meet tomorrow with confidence?" "This same question lies at the heart of our mission as a university here in Western Mindanao. When the things that we learn in our laboratories or in our classrooms are used for others —when they help a farmer bring produce to market or allow a doctor to reach a patient in a distant barangay, that's when we know that the education we are providing here at AdZU is truly impactful,” he said.

“This is why we are deeply grateful to PLDT and Smart for more than two decades of this beautiful partnership. You are not only providing training, equipment, and connectivity—we honestly believe you are opening doors for each of us,” he added.

As part of this ongoing collaboration, AdZU has also played a key role in developing mobile literacy applications for the Chavacano and Tausug languages. The #LearnSmart Apprende and Hinduan apps provide educators with accessible and engaging digital tools to teach these local languages to younger generations, while preserving the rich cultural heritage of Zamboanga City.

These initiatives contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, by promoting inclusive and equitable learning opportunities, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, by safeguarding cultural heritage through innovative digital solutions.

LCF Launches League-Wide Efforts in Basilan to Address Child Malnutrition

Manila, Philippines – The League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) is intensifying its efforts to address child malnutrition in Basilan, the first province under its LIFE (LCF’s Initiative for Food Security, Nutrition, and Empowerment) program, with the launch of its two key projects: the Busog, Lusog, Talino (BLT) Central Kitchen in Isabela City, spearheaded by Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), and a water system development project in Tipo-Tipo led by Manila Water Foundation (MWF).

Wasting and stunting remain among the most pressing nutrition issues in the Philippines, threatening children’s health, learning potential, and long-term development. According to the latest National Nutrition Survey, 23.6% of children under five were stunted in 2023—nearly one in four—and 5.6% were suffering from severe undernutrition. The 2024 Global Hunger Index likewise reports 26.7% stunting and 5.4% wasting, underscoring the urgency of tackling both acute and chronic malnutrition at the community level.

LIFE is LCF’s unified, province-by-province approach to preventing these conditions and scaling interventions for nationwide impact. “Through LIFE, we’re working to nourish not just bodies, but futures—starting here in Basilan, and moving province by province to help end child wasting and stunting for good,” said Shem Jose Garcia, Chairperson of LCF and Executive Director of Vivant Foundation, Inc.

The Zuellig Family Foundation [ZFF] initiated its efforts before the launch of LIFE in 2024. As early as 2021, ZFF provided support and worked with local officials on the Nutrition Leadership and Governance Program.

JGF and MWF are among the first to roll out projects in Basilan under LIFE. JGF’s BLT Community Kitchen will operate as a centralized hub for feeding programs targeting children, and pregnant and lactating mothers, ensuring meals are nutritious, culturally appropriate, and Muslim-friendly. Meanwhile, MWF’s water system development project in Tipo-Tipo will deliver access to clean and safe water for the community.

The Busog, Lusog, Talino Community Kitchen

Launched in partnership with the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) and JGF, the BLT Community Kitchen—where ZFF served as on-the-ground anchor liaising with the provincial government and JGF spearheaded the program by fully funding and overseeing construction—was inaugurated on June 26 with then Governor Jim Hataman Salliman, Dr. Joyce Ann Arandia-Viar, Nutrition Portfolio Director of ZFF, LA Cruzat, Senior Program Manager of JGF, and Celine Santillan, Executive Director of LCF.

The BLT Community Kitchen program is an established JGF initiative, with 37 facilities nationwide, each designed to efficiently prepare and distribute meals to multiple schools. Its integration into LIFE’s Basilan rollout sets the stage for replication in other underserved areas.

“The BLT Kitchen is a model of how multisectoral partnerships can create sustainable solutions to hunger,” said LA Cruzat, Senior Program Manager of JGF. “It’s about leveraging our strengths to create impact where it matters most at the community level.”

Project Bohè: Water System Development in Tipo-Tipo

Water access, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are vital components of nutrition-sensitive programs, particularly in addressing undernourishment in geographically isolated, disadvantaged, and conflict-affected areas. Project Bohè, a water system development initiative, will deliver 350,000 liters of clean and potable water daily to Barangay Bohelebung.

The water system is a collaborative effort with the Local Government of Tipo-Tipo, led by the Manila Water Foundation (MWF), co-funded by Metrobank Foundation, and implemented in partnership with ZFF. Project Bohè aims to expand community access to safe water, contributing to disease prevention, improved health outcomes, and enhanced local economic activity.

To ensure long-term sustainability, MWF conducted technical capacity-building sessions and organized a WASH Group composed of local community leaders. This group will operate, manage, and maintain the system, ensuring community ownership and stewardship. Through Project Bohè in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan, MWF underscores its commitment to bringing WASH solutions to all communities.

MWF organized a WASH Group of local leaders through capacity-building sessions to operate and maintain the water system, ensuring long-term community self-sufficiency.

LIFE Moving Forward

Over the next two years, LIFE, through its members and partners, has several projects planned for Basilan. These include the turnover of anthropometric tools to monitor child growth, fundraising to extend its reach, and expanding its network of partners and supporters. Other LCF members, including East-West Seed Foundation and Ayala Foundation, are also preparing complementary initiatives in the province. LIFE has likewise received donations from organizations such as Jesus V. Del Rosario Foundation, as well as CSR-practicing corporations Monde Nissin Corporation and ISSI Corporation.

LCF’s LIFE initiative is proof that when corporate foundations unite with public and nonprofit partners, tackling child malnutrition becomes a shared and achievable mission.

Support LIFE through resources or capacity-building initiatives. Visit LCF’s Facebook page to learn how you can help. Contact Amber Garma at membership1.lcf@gmail.com or 09204649035 for more information about LIFE’s Christmas campaign.